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The 14th-ranked LSU Tigers concluded their non-conference schedule on Saturday night as they welcomed Sun Belt opponent South Alabama into Tiger Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU struck on their first play from scrimmage as Garrett Nussmeier found his freshman running back Caden Durham in the flat and he took off 71 yards for the opening score just 14 seconds into the game. After a quick defensive stop, Durham took the first down handoff 86 yards down to the one-yard line before Nussmeier punched it in from a yard out and quickly put the Tigers ahead 14-0.
On the next Tigers possession, Durham once again found the endzone after capping off a 79-yard scoring drive to make it 21-0 late in the first quarter. South Alabama responded with a 44-yard drive that led to a field goal from Laith Marjan to make it 21-3.
Two minutes later, Nussemeier had his second rushing touchdown of the game, punching it in from five yards out to increase the LSU lead to 28-3. Late in the half, a four-play, 69-yard drive ended with a 23-yard strike from Nussmeier to Aaron Anderson that made it 35-3 at the half.
South Alabama started the second half by thrashing LSU’s defense for a 75-yard scoring drive in nine plays before a 27-yard touchdown pass from Gio Lopez to Anthony Eager made it 35-10. Later in the quarter, USA got to the four-yard line before getting stopped on fourth down and goal at the one-yard line.
LSU then went on a 99-yard scoring drive as Josh Williams found the endzone to put LSU ahead 42-10.
The backups were put in for both teams as LSU improved to 4-1 on the season heading into their bye.
BIG NUMBER: 217
Caden Durham had 217 total yards of offense in the contest as the true freshman had 89 yards receiving and 128 yards rushing to go along with a pair of touchdowns.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Caden Durham
Durham was incredible in the first half as the true freshman had 217 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard reception from Nussmeier and an 86-yard run.
UP NEXT: LSU will be on bye next week before welcoming Ole Miss to Tiger Stadium on October 12. Kickoff time is to be determined but the game can be heard on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.